AI Recipes to Practice Language Learning

Recipe 1 – “Meet Mario!”

Ingredients: Character AI, AI-generated persona “Mario,” ChatGPT-assisted prompts, 1 partner.

Results: 1. Improve conversational fluency 2. Practice real-life interactions

Difficulty Level: Elementary

Steps [part 1]:

1. With your partner, access the Character AI platform and find the AI-generated persona “Mario”, inspired by the famous video game character. (Note: There are several Mario characters available on Character AI. You can use one of them or create your own. You can use ChatGPT to generate a custom backstory for Mario, especially if you want him to be connected to a specific course unit.)
2. Initiating the Conversation by using the provided list of accessible topics to engage in a conversation with Mario. Topics may include: his daily life and job, his favorite hobbies and pastimes, places he has visited and his travel experiences.
3. Take turns interacting with Mario using text or voice, simulating a real-life conversational exchange in Spanish.
4. If you need help formulating a question or structuring a response, refer to ChatGPT-assisted prompts to facilitate interaction. Example questions to ask Mario: “¡Hola Mario! ¿Cómo es un día típico en tu vida? ¿Qué haces cuando no estás rescatando a la princesa?”; “¿Cuál es tu plato favorito? ¿Sabes cocinar?”; “¿Hablas español? ¿Has viajado nunca a un país hispanohablante?” If you struggle with vocabulary, use online dictionaries or translators to formulate full questions in Spanish.

Steps [part 2]:

1. Take the conversation a step further by simulating a phone call with Mario using Character AI’s interactive features.
2. Engage in a scenario where Mario needs to: describe his favorite vacation experience in Latin America, the Caribbean, or Spain.
3. Focus on comprehension and take note of any unfamiliar words. Use ChatGPT to generate a vocabulary list with translations from Spanish to English.

Recipe 2 – “AI at the Restaurant: A Role-Playing Game”

Ingredients: ChatGPT mobile app (voice mode), 1 partner (optional).

Results: 1. Improve conversational fluency 2. Practicing real-life skills

Difficulty Level: Upper Elementary

Steps:

1. With your partner, open the ChatGPT mobile app and prepare to use voice mode for a simulated restaurant experience. One student will act as a customer, and the other will take turns interacting with ChatGPT as the waiter.
2. Before starting, instruct ChatGPT to act as a Spanish-speaking waiter in a restaurant. Use a structured prompt to guide the AI’s role: “Actúa como un camarero en un restaurante en Cancún. Habla solo en español. Hazme preguntas sobre qué quiero pedir, si necesito recomendaciones y si deseo algo más. Corrige mis errores si cometo fallos en la gramática.”
3. The customer will initiate the conversation by greeting the AI waiter and asking for a menu: “Hola, buenas tardes. ¿Me puede traer el menú, por favor?”
4. The AI will respond naturally, asking follow-up questions. The customer must respond using full sentences, making requests, asking about dishes, and placing an order. If you are struggling, you can ask the AI to repeat or suggest alternative phrases: “Lo siento, no entendí. ¿Puede repetir más despacio?”

Recipe 3 – “AI-Powered Debate Challenge”

Ingredients: Duolingo MAX, TalkPal, Microsoft Copilot, 1 group.

Results: 1. Develop argumentation skills 2. Enhance pronunciation

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Steps [part 1]:

1. In group, discuss on the debate: “¿Es necesario estudiar en el extranjero para aprender bien un idioma?”
2. Use Duolingo MAX to generate pro and con arguments for your assigned position. Example prompt:“Dame tres argumentos a favor y tres en contra la importancia de estudiar al extranjero para aprender un idioma, con ejemplos.” Refine your reasoning, selecting the strongest points to present in the debate.
3. Divide the members of your group into pro and con teams, taking turns presenting your arguments.
4. After the debate, discuss: “¿Cómo influyó el uso de la IA en la calidad de nuestros argumentos?”; “¿Nos ayudó a formular ideas más claras y organizadas?”

Steps [part 2]:

1. At home, open TalkPal and select a debate scenario from the app.
2. Similarly to what you did in class, engage in a simulated debate with the AI, receiving real-time responses and counterarguments.
3. If you struggle, ask Microsoft Copilot for vocabulary support.
4. Record your debate session within the TalkPal app and ask the AI to provide feedback on pronunciation, fluency, and coherence.

Recipe 4 – “AI-Assisted Literary Exploration”

Ingredients: Pablo Neruda’s poem Oda a la Cebolla, Microsoft Copilot, 1 partner.

Results: 1. Expand your vocabulary; 2. Understand poetry through dialogue

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Steps:

1. With your partner, read Oda a la cebolla aloud and highlight any unfamiliar words or phrases.
2. Using Microsoft Copilot, prompt the AI to explain the meaning of these words entirely in Spanish, providing synonyms and example sentences without offering an English translation. For example, you could ask: “Explica la palabra 'escamas' en el contexto de la cebolla y dame un ejemplo en una oración.”
3. Once you feel more confident with the vocabulary and themes, use Microsoft Copilot to generate open-ended conversation prompts related to the poem. Be sure to ask the AI for discussion-based questions rather than simple yes/no inquiries. For instance, the AI might suggest: “¿Cómo transforma Neruda un alimento cotidiano en algo poético? ¿Puedes pensar en otro objeto común que inspire emociones similares?”
4. Continue asking the AI to generate new discussion questions as you progress through your conversation. Whenever you feel satisfied with your responses and ready to explore a new idea, prompt Microsoft Copilot for additional questions. If you find yourself struggling to express an idea, use the AI to suggest relevant vocabulary to help you articulate your thoughts more clearly.
5. At the end of the exercise, write down a list of new words and expressions you have learned. With your partner, quiz each other by alternating between asking and answering questions to ensure you remember their meanings and can use them in context.

Recipe 5 – “AI-Powered Museum Guide Role-Play”

Ingredients: Microsoft Copilot, 1 partner, 1 Kahlo’s painting

Results: 1. Expand your vocabulary; 2. Understand art; 3. Improve analytical skills

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Steps:

1. With your partner, choose a painting by Frida Kahlo and carefully observe its colors, symbols, and emotions. Take notes on key details that you find important to explain.
2. Use Microsoft Copilot to request advanced vocabulary related to the painting. Ask the AI to generate descriptive phrases and cultural insights to help you analyze the artwork more effectively. For example, you could prompt: “Explícame el simbolismo y el contexto histórico detrás de la pintura 'Las dos Fridas' y genera una lista de vocabulario avanzado para describir la obra.”
3. Write down new expressions and key phrases that will allow you to describe the painting naturally and fluently.
4. Activate Talkio AI and introduce yourselves as museum guides. Engage with the AI as if it were a tourist, guiding it through the painting and encouraging it to ask questions.
5. Adjust your responses based on its reactions, making the conversation as natural and interactive as possible. You can prompt: “Imagina que eres un turista visitando un museo en México y estás viendo la pintura ‘Las dos Fridas’ de Frida Kahlo por primera vez. Haz preguntas como un visitante curioso que quiere aprender más sobre la obra, su significado y su historia. Puedes preguntar sobre los colores, las emociones que transmite, el contexto histórico, la técnica utilizada y cualquier otro detalle que te llame la atención. Responde a los guías con comentarios naturales, mostrando interés en la conversación.”